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Brenda
06-12-2009, 07:03 AM
Hi there my name is Brenda
We recently found ourselves retrenched from the workforce due to political change of government and have lots of time on our hands. We live in an arid area of South Australia where we find it difficult to grow things without lots of attention, due to work constraints, and other issues, time was very limited.
Years earlier I did grow an acre of vegetable under organic conditions, in New South Wales, and found the food so good nutritious, and so enjoyable, I love the earth and its wildlife. I have in the last few years due to time restraints and the arid area we live in turned more to hydroponics and aquaponics, as we are able to grow lettuces in the summer months without them bolting or tasting bitter.
I became very interested in the aquaponics area, and have 2 fish tanks that have supported Yabbies and Goldfish for the last twelve months, our yabbies have had several young and everything is supporting itself well, we have grow beds that are flourishing and have a constant supply of vegetables, lettuce, & herbs, along with the hydroponics sustains us very well, but the need to expand and have the time to spare on developing more sustainable garden plots has evolved, as we have extremely difficult water restrictions it is important that water is retained within the plots. I have become interested in the water wicking worm beds that are raised and easier for the older person who has bending difficulties and unable to dig as you younger ones can due to health issues.
Looking forward to some interesting topics and information that we can all share together, to help this Planet along the way.
Cheers.

9anda1f
06-12-2009, 02:20 PM
Hello and Welcome Brenda!

It sounds like you've quite the aquaponics system running! I live in the USA in a dry area and I'd be very interested to see any pics you might have of your system. Aquaponics is such an interesting concept and there's quite a few old threads about it here, but we haven't had much information posted in the past couple of years.

Glad you're aboard and looking forward to hearing more of your work!

Bill

teela
06-12-2009, 08:05 PM
Hi there Brenda.......Welcome.
Good to see another South Aussie here. I spent 14 years trying to grow vegetables, re-vegetate with native plants and maintain a garden in a low rainfall area so I feel it is my area of expertise.
I finally got sick of it and considered moving to Tasmania.
After much consideration we decided not to go quite that far and ended up in the South East where the weather is much kinder. Having a green lawn is still a novelty for us!

ecodharmamark
17-12-2009, 10:06 AM
G'day Brenda

Welcome to the PRI Forum.

Yes, working towards sef-sufficiency in an arid region can be very difficult. We live in the semi-arid zone, and I find that hard enough (as I write this very response a hot, northerly wind is blowing, but the promise of a south-westerly change occuring later today offers respite)!

I am sure you have accessed many resources with regards to living in the arid zone, however the following may provide you with some further 'food for thought':

Human response and adaptation to drought in the arid zone: lessons from southern Africa (http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/bitstream/10204/3785/1/O'Farrell_d1_2009.pdf)

Cheerio, Markus.